Az erdélyi tábori főlelkészség története (1750–1868)
The history of the Transylvanian chief army chaplaincy (1750 - 1868)

Summary/Abstract: The religious and military reforms introduced by the Hapsburgs’ enlightened absolutism included the division of the Empire into districts with regard to the spiritual care of the military forces. The Superiority of Transylvania was organized relatively early, in 1750, and dissolved in 1868. The paper uses mostly archival sources to trace the history of this military district. The Transylvanian ordinaries, regarding it as an infringement of their own jurisdiction, initially protested against its establishment. The imp. & roy. War Council at Court issued a decree on February 15, 1777 to have the military chapels of the empire surveyed, and the results provide a comprehensive picture of the state of the chapels in Transylvania as well. The Transylvanian Superiority, throughout its existence, the years of the Crimean War excepted, was the smallest military diocese of the Monarchy, with 5–6 army chaplains serving under the direction of the Transylvanian chief army chaplain. The Transylvanian bishops, along with those in Hungary, resisted the reform of the auxiliary system of the army ministry introduced early in the 19th century, but after a long struggle, were obliged to assume the right of presentation. The colourful religious composition of Transylvania made religious policy with regard to non-Catholic soldiers especially significant. The paper describes the development of the religious lives of Protestant, Orthodox, and Greek Catholic troops in the territory of the Transylvanian Superiority. During the reign of Maria Theresa Protestant ministers were banned even from military hospitals. The decrees of Joseph II provided for the free practice of religion, and by the turn of the 18–19th centuries the decree of tolerance was enforced among the army units stationed in Transylvania. Since Transylvanian laws provided more favourable treatment to Protestants than did the decree of tolerance, the army chaplains tried to make use of the possibilities inherent in the differences. After the revolutions of 1848, in which several army chaplains had taken active parts, the monarch, with his letters-patent of April 26, 1860, established 12 posts for Protestant army chaplains at the central garrisons of the military administration. This move was in accordance with the principle of religous equality, but adjusted deficiently to the special needs of the army. The army reform after the Compromise of 1867 abolished military districts. The peripheral position of the Transylvanian military district within the Empire made easier the job of officials resisting the central administration, but the latter could have its will prevail in most cases.

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